Leadership / Management

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            Delegating work properly does a lot more than make your life as a leader easier.  It builds teamwork, increases efficiency, develops careers, raises morale, and boosts productivity.  But it is not always easy to do.  Here are some simple strategies to get you started. 

            1.  Delegate responsibility, not work.  Too many leaders confuse delegating responsibility with just assigning more work to someone.  Employees know the difference.  Do not assign a project and insist an employee do it your way with no room for personal initiative. 

            2.  Let employees take turns running staff meetings.  This does three things.  First, it shows that you respect and trust their abilities.  Second, it builds their confidence and leadership skills.  Finally, it gives you a chance to see how someone handles a group in case you ever consider promoting that person to a managerial position. 

            3.  When delegating, do not ask an employee, “Do you understand?”  A lot of employees will answer “yes” regardless of whether they understand or not, for fear of looking stupid.  Instead, ask questions such as “Any ideas, off the top of your head, as to how you will proceed?”  Such questions will give you  a better sense of whether or not you were clear in your directions. 

            4.  Keep a “delegation diary.”  Once you realize how effective and uplifting proper delegation can be, you will want to do it more often.  Be careful and be organized.  Keep a written record of which projects you have delegated to which employees. 

            5.  Establish routine checkups.  At the beginning of the delegation process, establish meetings in advance when you and the employee can sit down and make sure everything is on track.  Do not check up every day.  You want employees to know you trust them to get the job done on their own. 

Following these guidelines will make the delegating of responsibility less  frightening for you and your employees.  Moreover, it will provide an opportunity for you to give employees a chance for personal leadership and growth.

For more information about Ken Chapman and Associates’ Leadership Development Programs, contact Ken Chapman at 205.366.0265 or email Ken at kchapman@leaderscode.com.

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